4 Ingredients Ayurvedic bliss balls recipe

These 4 ingredients Ayurvedic bliss balls are my go to wholesome dessert alternative. They are so delicious and easy to make. I used only 4 ingredients which are considered sattvic in Ayurveda. Sattvic means clean, wholesome and good for the body and mind qualities. Usually they include some other ingredients like nuts and seeds, some dried fruits etc, but I wanted to keep them simple. Traditionally ghee is used, but if you are vegan or don’t like the taste of ghee, then coconut oil can be used.

The key ingredient in these bliss balls are the dates. In Ayurveda, they are regarded highly, as a food that is nourishing for both the body and the mind. They are also said to bring joyfulness and calm to the mind. Dates are a great food to include in any dish that we want to give sweetness without using sugar or any other sweeteners. Dates can be quite heavy, so it is useful to soak them in water prior. This will make them more easily digestible.

The spices I used which are traditional in Ayurvedic desserts are cinnamon and cardamon. They also give sweetness and cardamon especially has a delicious after taste and aroma. Both cinnamon and cardamon have more of a warming quality and can help with digestion.

The final ingredient used is coconut oil. This brings everything together and is also nourishing and soothing for the digestive organs.

The optional ingredient is desiccated coconut which I love because I love anything coconut flavour. You can add a small amount of it in the mixture, but mainly it can be used to garnish the balls. They are so appropriate for the festive season and a delicious alternative dessert that has no added sugar, is vegan and gluten free. You can also give them as small gifts in a beautifully decorated jar.

Ingredients:
​(makes about 15 balls depending on the size you choose to make them).
150g pitted and soaked dates (about 20-25)
60g cinnamon
30g cardamom
1 tsp coconut oil
Optional ingredient: desiccated coconut

Preparation:

1. Soak the dates for about 2 hours before making the balls.
2. In a bowl, add the soaked dates and mix them well with a spoon. Due to the soaking, they will be quite mushy already. If some are still solid, a fork or back of a spoon can be used to gently mash them.
3. Add the spices and mix all together.
4. Add the coconut oil and mix well.

Take small amounts of the mix, and create the little balls using the palms of your hands. If you want to make them bigger, you can use more amount of the mixture.

If you are using desiccated coconut, add a decent amount onto a small plate and once you made the ball, roll it in the desiccated coconut.

You can chill them in the fridge for about an hour before eating, but they are delicious and ready to eat as they are.